In an unacceptable reality, a life was stolen from a drunk driver

``I wanted to

be more filial .

One morning, on their way to work, they collided with a car traveling in the wrong direction.

Alcohol exceeding the standard value was detected from the driver of the wrong-way car.

His father was treated in hospital for 13 hours before he died.

There is no end to serious accidents caused by drunk driving.

anger, sadness, and suffering.

The family left behind cannot accept the reality.

(Osaka Broadcasting Station reporter Shintaro Senda Kenta Yamamoto)

Repeated drunk driving accidents

(Photo: Accident site in Ikuno Ward, Osaka)

In the early morning of February 2nd, a car driven by Isao Kanedaka (48), a self-employed person living in Higashisumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, is driving on "Imasatosuji" in Ikuno Ward, Osaka. A passenger car traveling in the opposite direction collided head-on.

Kanetaka was taken to a hospital due to cardiopulmonary arrest and later died.

His son Mitsuumi (20), who was in his passenger seat, was also seriously injured, breaking his hip bone.

According to the police, the driver of Nigerian nationality (25) who was driving the car that went in the wrong direction was also seriously injured and was taken to the hospital. that it has been detected.

Moreover, he was unlicensed.

The driver is still in the hospital, and police are investigating suspected dangerous driving resulting in death or injury.

I wanted to be more filial

Isao and Koumi were on their way to work.

Koumi remembered the time of the accident clearly.

Mitsuumi Kanedaka

: “Suddenly, a car pulled up

.

Then, the sports car in the oncoming lane suddenly changed course and entered the lane we were running.

Isao tried to dodge by turning the steering wheel, but it was too late.

The two were transported to separate hospitals.

Mitsuumi saw his father in his final moments through the videophone screen.

After 13 hours of treatment, Isao's heartbeat gradually weakened.

Koumi continued to speak.

Ms. Mitsuumi

"I call my father 'chan', but he always called me 'chan'. I wanted him to be alive."

The two were working together in construction.

He is a proud father who is respected by other craftsmen.

When Mr. Koumi's friend came to visit us, he took us out to dinner with everyone, even though it was a large group.

He is a kind and respectful father.

Ms. Koumi

: “I wanted to be more filial to my parents. I wanted to show my children

. ”

Lost the "partner" of my life for 40 years

Isao and Taichi Tokuzawa, who have been best friends since childhood, have known each other for over 40 years.

Isao married Tokuzawa's younger sister and became a family.

The two used to run a company together.

Mr. Taichi Tokuzawa

"Isao-chan said, 'Do you want to work together?' and we were doing a company together. Kanetaka's 'Kin' and Tokuzawa's 'Toku' are 'Kintoku Kogyo.' We are already It's like 'nicoichi'.

(Photo: The helmet worn by the deceased Isao Kanedaka)

Isao was a reliable person at work.

In his private life, he has always been a close childhood friend.

He had a bright personality and always made people around him smile.

It is said that Isao said something to Tokuzawa one week before the accident.

Mr. Tokuzawa

: "He suddenly said, 'If something happens to me, please take care of Mitsukai and Auntie (Isao's mother).' When Isao passed away, I held her hand and said, ``I'll keep all my promises.

(Photo = Mr. Isao [right] and Mr. Tokuzawa 20 years ago)

Mr. Tokuzawa who lost his "partner" in life.

He can't accept reality, such as anger, sadness, and suffering.

Although he would like to hold hands once at the scene of the accident, he says he has not yet been able to do so.

Mr. Tokuzawa

: "I want my life back. There are many families who have lost their lives unilaterally because of drunk driving. I think that if you drink alcohol, you shouldn't drive. I think that drunk driving is murder. No matter how much you want it, Isao-chan's life won't come back."

Drunk driving accidents in Osaka increase for the first time in 5 years

According to the Osaka Prefectural Police, the number of drunk driving accidents in Osaka Prefecture has been on the decline for the past 10 years.

However, in 2020, the number of cases increased for the first time in 5 years, reaching 159 cases, 28 more than in 2021.

Nine of them have died.

Regarding the reason for the increase, the Osaka Prefectural Police have analyzed that although the number of cases temporarily decreased due to the self-restraint of corona, it may have increased due to the return of the habit of drinking outside.

I asked the inmate why he was drunk driving.

Why drink and drive

I applied for an interview at Kakogawa Prison in Hyogo Prefecture, where inmates for traffic violations are serving their sentences.

We spoke with a man in his 40s who was sentenced to prison for causing death by dangerous driving.

I had an accident several years ago.

That day, I was drinking with my colleagues at work until late at night.

He had been driving to the store, but he said he intended to walk home.

However, my colleague got drunk and couldn't go home alone.

I called a taxi, but the driver refused, saying, "I can't take you if you're this drunk."

It is said that the inmate thought that he could not leave his colleague alone.

He was drinking beer and whiskey that

he "had to drive" , but he didn't think he was that drunk.

I grasped the steering wheel of the car under sweet thoughts and stepped on the accelerator.

It is said that he drove a long distance.

He remembered feeling sleepy after dropping off his colleague.

"By the time I noticed, a car was approaching in front of me."

The car was sticking out into the oncoming lane.

Then he was hit by a car with a family in it.

A young child died in this accident.

(Reporter)

Why did you drive when you were drunk?

(Inmate in his 40s)

I thought that maybe I could do something about it, and I thought there was nothing I could do about this time.

I think that there was also a part where alcohol made me feel a little bigger.

Reporter:

How did you feel when you heard that your child had died?

(Inmate in his 40s)

I wanted him to be safe, but it was pitch black before my eyes.

She imagined that she would grow up and grow up healthy and that this child might have a bright future.

Just the other day, when I thought that she was laughing, running, and eating, I felt like she had really done something.

(Reporter)

How do you feel about your family?

(Inmate in her 40s) She

acted selfishly and did something irreversible.

She should have been able to experience fun things together from now on, but I feel sorry for her because she always has to face the reality of her child's passing.

(Reporter)

How do you feel now after the accident?

(Inmate in 40s)

I don't think she thought of drunk driving as her own problem at the time.

She had seen a DUI accident on the news, but she thought she wouldn't.

But in reality, she took it easy because she was a little emotionally driven.

I don't think I realized at the time that anyone who drives a car has the potential to drink and drive.

Repeatedly driving drunk

This time, in the prison coverage, I also interviewed another male inmate in his 30s.

When he was invited to a drinking party at work, he said that he would use his car if it was a nearby store.

“I think I did quite a few DUIs.”

One night, a man hit a woman walking by.

But the man, who was heavily intoxicated, said he doesn't remember causing the accident.

(Reporter)

Have you ever tried to drink and drive?

(Inmate in his 30s)

To be honest, I was less conscious of drunk driving than most people.

When I was invited by a business associate, I would go by car if it was a distance of about 5 to 10 minutes.

It's an exaggeration to say I can't count, but I think it's okay if it's just a short distance.

(Reporter)

How do you feel about running over a woman for repeatedly driving under the influence of alcohol?

(Inmate in his 30s)

I feel like I can't accept reality.

(Reporter)

Do you have any regrets or regrets?

(Inmate in his 30s)

I regret it.

I think that I have to think more about the victims when I get out of prison.

No matter how much I reflect on myself, I can't change the reality, and at random times, the accident crosses my mind.

I have done something that should never have happened.

I don't think it's the end when I'm released from prison, but I think that continuing to face what I've caused may be the way to make amends.

Expert "Drunk driving can be zero with our efforts"

Why can't we stop drinking and driving?

Professor Ryota Osai of the Faculty of Law, Fukuoka University, who is familiar with the problem of drunk driving, says that while the awareness of "Don't drink and drive" and "Don't let people drink and drive" is certainly pervasive in society, there are certain people who have such a value. I point out that the perspective is not perfect.

According to Professor Osai, people who drink and drive

can be broadly classified into two categories:

those who are addicted to alcohol , and those who have little awareness that drunk driving is a crime.

For alcoholics, when they are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, they are obliged to see a medical institution specializing in alcohol as a countermeasure to prevent serious accidents.

Such ordinances have been enacted in Fukuoka, Mie, and Wakayama prefectures.

In addition, it is necessary for the police not only to conduct inspections, but also to proactively expose people, such as by flexibly implementing crackdowns, as those who are not aware of it believe that they will not be found out if they are the only ones who drink. I assume there is.

On the other hand, he points out that there is no "silver bullet" for measures against drunk driving.

Professor Ryota Kosai, Faculty of Law, Fukuoka University

“By layering various measures like a patchwork, we can finally deter drunken driving throughout society. People who manage stores and parking lots, as well as us citizens, keep an eye out for drunk driving.Drunk driving can be reduced to zero depending on our efforts, so it is important to accumulate what we can do.”

Movement to eradicate drunk driving spreads

(Photo: Charity live held at Osaka Castle Hall on February 18th)

Efforts to eradicate drunk driving are being carried out in various places.

One of them, in February this year, a charity live was held at Osaka Castle Hall to call for a society without drunk driving through music.

This live show was started by a radio station in Osaka in 2006 after a drunk driving accident in which three young siblings were killed, and this year marks the 16th time.

(Photo: A message written on the back of the admission ticket to prevent drunk driving)

On this day, 10,000 people gathered from all over the country to see the live performance.

Those who attended the live will write a message on the back of the ticket.

I wrote down each thought, such as "to protect the important person".

At the live, TRF's DJ KOO, who served as the top batter, strongly called out, "Eradicate drunk driving with one feeling."

After this, participating artists such as Chisato Moritaka and Hitomi Yaida appealed for their thoughts on drunk driving.

Mr. Nemoto of "Stardust ☆ Review" who has been participating since the first time

"Everyone can do not drink and drive.It's just a matter of not riding after drinking.Why can't we do that? We will continue to hold charity live events until the number of tragic accidents that still occur today is zero.